Burundi — Masha Washing Station Red Bourbon (Honey)

Tastes Like — 🌼 Chamomile • ⭐ Carambola • 🍋 Lemon Tea

DETAILS

• Station: Masha Washing Station
• Region: Kayanza, Burundi
• Varietal: Red Bourbon
• Process: Honey
• Altitude: 1,627 MASL
• Roast: Espresso
• Size: 200g

INTRO

From the Masha washing station in Kayanza — an espresso-roasted honey processed Red Bourbon of uncommon delicacy and lightness from one of Burundi's most celebrated growing regions. Light, elegant, and unusually refined for the origin, with a higher acidity that brings liveliness and juiciness without any weight. In the cup: chamomile, carambola, and lemon tea, with a delicate spicy hint of star anise woven through.

THE PRODUCER

The Masha washing station is situated in Kayanza province — one of Burundi's most celebrated coffee-growing regions, known for its high altitude, rich volcanic soils, and the exceptional conditions they create for Red Bourbon cultivation. The station pays close attention to every stage of production, from the selection of perfectly ripe cherries through to carefully monitored fermentation and drying, with quality and consistency as the guiding principles throughout.

Red Bourbon — the variety the Burundian government mandates for national coffee production — thrives in Kayanza's cool highland environment at 1,627 MASL, producing the deep sweetness, complex fruit character, and refined structure that define the region's finest lots.

THE PROCESS

The Honey process at Masha involves:

🍒 Hand-picking — Ripe Red Bourbon cherries selectively harvested at peak ripeness 🔧 Depulping — Outer skin removed while a portion of the mucilage is retained on the bean ☀️ Raised African bed drying — Coffee dried with mucilage intact on raised beds with good airflow, turned regularly throughout to prevent uncontrolled fermentation and ensure even drying ⏱️ Extended drying — Dried over several days to weeks until optimal moisture content is achieved

The retention of mucilage during drying is the defining step — the honey process allows the bean to absorb the fruit's natural sugars slowly over the drying period, building the chamomile sweetness and delicate lemon tea character that give this lot its unusual lightness and elegance, while the careful monitoring ensures the process remains clean and controlled throughout.

THE CUP

A delicate, light, and beautifully elegant honey espresso from one of Kayanza's most carefully managed stations — chamomile sweetness, a bright carambola citrus note, and a clean lemon tea finish, with a lively higher acidity that keeps every sip fresh and juicy. Like opening a window on a summer morning to the scent of tea and citrus.

Flavour Notes

🌼 Chamomile ⭐ Carambola 🍋 Lemon Tea